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Pranab Kharel is a sociologist associated with Martin Chautari, who likes to read. He mainly prefers writings that talk about history, sociology, anthropology and politics. ApEx caught up with Kharel to know more about his preferences when it comes to books and writings. 

What genre of books do you mostly enjoy reading and why?

I mostly prefer non-fiction. I enjoy reading non-fictions that are historically grounded. However, I do read certain fictions as well, those that support and align with my interest. Some of the books that I have really enjoyed reading are the three volumes of ‘Capital’ by Karl Marx. I read this when I was a student. The others were ‘The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order’ by Samuel P Huntington, ‘Hitler Ra Yahudi’ by BP Koirala, and ‘Annihilation of Caste’ by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. 

How do you think reading has shaped you?

Reading books has definitely helped me grow a lot as an individual. I wasn’t an avid reader before I pursued my Master’s degree. I read occasionally, but back then I used to read newspapers a lot. That’s when, I think, I started reading seriously. It was around 2004 when I began following the articles published on ‘The Hindu’ regularly. And as I began studying for my masters, I was expected to read more. That is when I read a lot of books, and I realize that it has helped shape my opinions on a lot of things I saw around me. It compelled me to question my own assumptions and helped me gain a lot of different perspectives. 

How do you choose what book to read next?

My interest primarily lies in reading books that include history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and international developments in politics. So if I am to pick a book, I choose one that caters to my interest. There are a few friends who are voracious readers, and they suggest good books. So sometimes I pick one based on their recommendations. 

What do you usually do when you don’t like the book you’re reading? 

There have been many instances where a book I’m reading doesn’t meet my expectations. Some of the books I started reading didn’t have much to say. So it feels like reading them would be a waste of time. So I generally stop reading it mid-way. But sometimes I need to refer those books to someone, or use it as teaching material for my class. In that case, I will complete the book anyhow. I think there are two books that I compelled myself to read despite not liking it. But usually I stop reading it. 

Which books/authors inspire you?

I’m someone who gets influenced by a lot of things, and quite quickly at that. So I don’t think I can pinpoint just one book or author that has inspired me. There are works of both Nepali and foreign scholars that have inspired me in many ways. In the case of Nepali writers, I like the works of historians Yogesh Raj and Pratyoush Onta. 

Secondly, I have been moved by the works of BP Koirala. Reading his works has helped me understand how a single person can be so different as a politician, and a literary figure. I also like some of the works of Chaitanya Mishra, and I look up to the works of Mahesh Chandra Regmi and Ludwig Stiller. In terms of non-Nepali authors, I have been inspired by the writings of many scholars like Dipankar Gupta, Surinder Singh Jodhka, André Beteille, Walter Mignolo and Boaventura de Sousa Santos.

Do you think people who don’t read books are missing out on something great?

I think they are missing out on the act of reading itself but not in terms of knowledge or information. In today’s digital era, there are many ways for an individual to learn what’s going on in the world. People can easily get information online. Even if they don’t read, they might get their information from videos online and other means like Ted Talks. So no, I don’t think they’re missing out if I look with a broader perspective.

Kharel’s Picks

Imperial Gorkha by Mahesh Chandra Regmi

This book deals with the conquest of Kumaon Garhwal by the Gorkhali empire and its aftermath.

Nepalko Sandarvama Samajsashtriya Chintan by Pratyoush Onta and Mary Des Chene

This book, edited by Pratyoush Onta and Mary Des Chene, deals with many facets of post-1990 Nepal. I recommend this book for anyone who is keen on understanding the Nepali society on a deeper level. 

History As Mindscapes: A Memory Of The Peasants’ Movement Of Nepal by Yogesh Raj

Written by Historian Yogesh Raj, this book helps readers understand the mid-twentieth century of Nepal. I recommend this book to those who are interested in understanding the political economy of land and something related to that spectrum. 

Nilanthi Samaranayake is a visiting expert at the US Institute of Peace and an adjunct fellow at the East-West Center in Washington. She has 25 years of experience in the nonprofit research sector. Most recently, she served as director of the strategy and policy analysis program at CNA, where she led a team conducting multidisciplinary research and analysis for civilian and military leaders. Before joining CNA, Samaranayake analyzed public opinion at the Pew Research Center and completed a fellowship at the National Bureau of Asian Research.

Her work focuses on regional security in the Indian Ocean, smaller South Asian countries, non-traditional security issues, and US alliances and partnerships. Kamal Dev Bhattarai  of ApEx spoke with her on China-US contestation and implications for the South Asian Countries like Nepal. The views expressed are solely hers and not of any organization that she is affiliated with.

How do you see the US-China contest in South Asia?

Smaller South Asian countries are increasingly expressing concerns about maintaining their sovereignty and independence amid strategic tensions between large powers. Nepal, for example, was caught in this situation as a smaller state during the debate over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). What should be a straight-forward effort to help meet development needs can quickly become politicized due to the backdrop of strategic competition. This pattern was seen in Sri Lanka with the MCC as well, but with a different outcome. The US withdrew its $480m offer.

It has been more than one year since the Biden administration came up with an Indo-pacific strategy, how are South Asian countries responding to it?

To understand how Smaller South Asian countries are responding to the Indo-Pacific Strategy, I recommend reading a recent East-West Center series with experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka directly commenting on their own country’s responses. I served as a guest editor for the series.

The United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy identifies India as a major defense partner and discusses how the US will support India’s regional leadership. The strategy, however, does not mention any of the Smaller South Asian countries. This is an oversight that US officials may want to address in a future update because it represents a disconnect between US strategy and policy. In fact, a review of US policy in the region shows that Washington has clear interests and engagements with Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives along multiple lines, such as economics, development, security, and democratic governance. It even has common interests with Bhutan despite their lack of formal diplomatic relations.

How do you see India’s engagement with South Asian countries in the backdrop of growing US-China competition?

Regarding US-China competition, India is a major actor on its own terms due to its border conflict with China, which has included fatalities. As a result, India has sought to strengthen its relationships with the Smaller South Asian countries as tensions with China have increased in the past few years and as China has developed more active ties with these countries. 

India has conceptual frameworks for organizing its regional engagements such as Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) in the Indian Ocean. As the US and India are deepening their relationship, underscored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, we also see the US supporting India’s security concerns about China in the Smaller South Asian countries. For example, US officials reportedly met with Sri Lankan leaders after India expressed its objections to Sri Lanka permitting a Chinese ship to visit the controversial Hambantota port last summer.

How do you see the position of South Asian countries in the Russia-Ukraine War?

This is a good question because Russia remains an important actor for Smaller South Asian countries, despite all the attention given to China’s role in South Asia. In March 2022, the UN General Assembly resolution on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka abstained along with India and Pakistan. Bangladesh, in particular, has found itself caught up in the debate over sanctions as it tries to pursue a power plant project with Russia. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka tried to enforce the sanctions, but had to back down after Russia suspended passenger flights for four months and affected tourism earnings during the worst of the country’s economic crisis. However, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives have voted at the UN in Ukraine’s favor. This is a strong stance for smaller states to take.

What are your suggestions for a country like Nepal in the conduct of foreign policy in the shifting geopolitical environment?

Nepal is navigating major power rivalry in ways that are similar to other Smaller South Asian countries. Yet its relationship with India is unique in terms of trade, people-to-people ties, and military cooperation. Nepal has arguably the most considerations to make as it manages its foreign policy with large powers.

I think the challenge for Nepal and other Smaller South Asian countries will be to maintain their focus on meeting national-level economic development needs and hitting targets like graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, while minimizing partisan and personality-based infighting in domestic politics to the extent possible.

Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, situated near the renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site Namobuddha, opened its doors to guests on July 24. As part of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, the resort seamlessly blends Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with the richness of local culture and traditions.

In an exclusive interview, Kamal Dev Bhattarai and Pratik Ghimire from ApEx sat down with the Group CEO of Dusit International, Suphajee Suthumpun, to discuss Nepal’s tourism landscape and the unique offerings that Dusit can bring to the country. Excerpts:

What is the current status of global tourism? Are we heading towards a pre-pandemic level?

According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, global travel recovery this year is expected to reach 80 percent compared with the pre-pandemic year 2019. However, a closer examination of the industry reveals that the Asia Pacific region has experienced the slowest recovery compared with other parts of the world, with the Middle East leading the way. The study indicates that the Middle East is on track to achieving a better recovery rate than that of 2019 and earlier. Europe follows closely behind, with the Americas coming next.

This year, the Asia Pacific region is projected to recover at a rate of approximately 54 percent. As we are based in this region, it is essential to understand the travel landscape in China, as it greatly influences overall recovery. Due to significant travel restrictions still in place in China, the region has not witnessed the same level of recovery seen in other regions.

Do you think the big countries like China should take some specific majors to ensure fast recovery of tourism in this region?

Each country indeed has its own specific policies when it comes to tourism. While I cannot elaborate on the policies of every country here, it is evident that organizations within the tourism industry hope for each country to recognize the multiple benefits that tourism can bring. Apart from boosting the hospitality sector, tourism also plays a crucial role in generating foreign currency and contributing to the national economy, including its impact on the GDP.

Before the covid pandemic, Nepal had around 1.19m international travelers annually. This year, I have learned that the Nepal Tourism Board anticipates 1m international visitors. We should understand that this 1m will benefit not only hotels and restaurants, but also the local economy.

What are your current projects in Nepal?

We have opened two hotels at the same time in Nepal. We did a soft opening for the Dusit Princess in Kathmandu a few days ago, and we are really honored to inaugurate another one in Dhulikhel on July 24. We also intend to open one in Lumbini, which will happen later this year. I believe that if we connect all of these locations, we will have a solid representation of what a country can offer. 

What will these projects offer here?

What we want to bring in Nepal besides hotels is a global footprint of Dusit Group. From a hotel standpoint, currently we cover 18 countries and Nepal is our 18th country. But if you go into our other businesses too, we are covering 19 countries. We have our business in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and America, pretty much covering the global landscape.

What we bring to Nepal is a commitment to standards, competency, skill, and talent. The hospitality industry’s services are inherently international, necessitating adherence to global standards. This is precisely what we aim to bring here—support for local skilled labor to deliver services at the highest international standards.

As a company, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year. In our early days, Thailand, our country of origin, was not a popular tourist destination. Despite this, our founder recognized the need to build hotels of international standards to attract travelers from around the world. I share the same vision for Nepal. Our objective is to introduce luxury, high standards, and exceptional quality to Nepal, in turn, garnering attention and attracting international travelers to this beautiful country.

What does Dusit Group have besides hotels?

Dusit has four business units—hotels, education (hotel related education including culinary), food and property or real estate development. These are our four pillars. 

I am exploring right now but we also intend to bring education here. Our education business has a legacy of 30 years. As the global market has a shortage of skilled labor, our education will help produce skilled human resources and fill the gap, specifically with the hotel related education. This will help Nepalis not only in Nepal but also in the global market. 

Another area we are focusing on is the food industry. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be Dusit-branded food, our aim is to make a significant contribution to this sector. We prioritize maintaining high standards and ensuring quality food products. Health, organic practices, and sustainability are at the core of our food principles. As we expand in the future, we aspire to introduce these values to Nepal, promoting better health and sustainable practices in the local food industry.

How will Dusit contribute to bringing high quality tourism to Nepal?

We evolve over time. A few decades ago, our primary focus was on providing gracious services beyond expectations, and we diligently trained our staff accordingly. However, as new trends emerge, we recognize the importance of evolving and adapting to stay relevant.

One of the trends we have embraced in our offerings is wellness and wellbeing. Nepal, with its richness in spirituality, diverse religions, and vibrant cultural atmosphere, is well-suited for the luxury segment. Therefore, we believe incorporating wellness as a second pillar alongside our services in this hotel is essential.

Furthermore, promoting locality is a significant aspect of our business philosophy. We are committed not only to our own growth but also to the development of the community we operate in. Our resort is situated around the community of Namobuddha, a spiritual tourism spot, and we aim to support the locals by promoting the temple, local stories, environment, and nature to attract more tourists.

I bring along four media with me—National Geographic and Bangkok Post among others—and that is where I want to promote Nepal as a whole. I also took them to different places in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to promote those places. I feel that there are many untold stories and facts about how Nepal recovered after the 2015 earthquake. People might now know that Nepal has fully recovered. These are our plans to promote locality. 

And we integrate sustainability in all of our business. We train our staff to understand what it means by sustainability.

What are your suggestions to the Nepal government and people to promote tourism in Nepal?

I believe there are rooms for improvement in Nepal’s infrastructure, particularly in the areas of roads, telecommunications, and electricity. For the country to attract quality tourism, these aspects need to be visibly improved and stabilized.

One positive development I have noticed is the progress made at the airport, which is a step in the right direction to welcome more tourists. However, it is crucial to promote the fact that Nepal is fully prepared to host a growing number of tourists, having successfully recovered from the earthquake and pandemic. Additionally, the rich cultural and environmental aspects of Nepal should be well-promoted to entice visitors.

To achieve these goals, the government should actively collaborate with private and multilateral sectors to attract investments. Education and skill development are equally important, as there are still people in Nepal who could earn more if they acquire relevant skills. This can also help bridge the global shortage of skilled human resources and boost the national economy.

For the tourism industry, incorporating a sense of purpose in traveling could set Nepal apart as the preferred choice, rather than just one among many options. While other countries offer various attractions, Nepal can differentiate itself by offering a purpose-driven experience. There are countless captivating stories from Nepal that can add purpose and meaning to the trip for international tourists

The recent Bill on loan-sharking does not seem to have impressed loan-shark victims much as their continued protests continue. Evana Manandhar of ApEx spoke with Nirga Nabin, spokesperson for Meter Bjay Tatha Thagi Birudda Kisan-Majdoor Sangharsa Samiti, to know the reasons behind their continued protest and the way out.

Why are loan-shark victims protesting even after the parliamentary nod for the Bill on loan-sharking?

The Bill has materialized as a result of our protest, but we are not fully satisfied with it as it has not done justice to some of our pressing concerns. The Bill states that charging exorbitant interest rates can land the offender in jail for up to seven years with a fine of Rs 70,000. The lenders’ concern is that corrupt practices, loopholes and a lack of means and resources may weaken the effectiveness of the Bill. 

Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha met and assured loan shark victims of justice, didn’t he?

It is not enough to meet us and give assurances, we must check what he has done for us thus far. Even if a new minister replaces him tomorrow, we want the impactful steps he has taken in our interest to continue. For those lenders, who are close to power holders, rules have been lax. Such people don’t have to pay the fine for delayed payments, while we have no idea what percentage of interest we will have to pay. Interest rates payable to loan sharks are not uniform, either. The victims have to pay a 20 percent interest rate in Surkhet; in some places it is 24 percent and 10 percent in some other places. The interest rate has to be uniform throughout the country.  

Are the protesters and the government holding talks regularly to resolve this problem? 

We had meetings where we discussed how government organizations can use their authority to alleviate our plight. We also asked why banks do not provide small loans at relatively low interest rates. The government can manage all this quite efficiently. We are staging this protest for the sake of our rights like access to bank loans with low interest. 

What’s your take on suppression of your protest?

We are staging a peaceful protest, yet the police are being quite brutal against us. I don’t think I need to say anything on this as we all can see what’s going on.

What’s your bottomline? 

We want this problem resolved at the earliest because it has been affecting many people. There’s a need to deliver justice at the people’s doorsteps as we’ve seen a lot of victims suffering from mental health issues.